Too much wing blur? Hawk at Orlando Wetlands: Is this too much wing blur? I know the background is very busy but there is something about this photo that keeps me coming back to it. My...

Sunfish 33 Loc: Merritt Island, Fl

Is this too much wing blur? I know the background is very busy but there is something about this photo that keeps me coming back to it. My settings were 1/1250, f8, iso 400, at 289mm.

I was walking with my Canon 7D using my Big Sig lens hand held.

What do you think? Too busy and too much blur?

snails_pace Loc: Utah

Most times we have to take the shots that are there.

1/1250 is usually a fast enough shutter speed to give minimal wing tip blur. But some it may be a DOF effect since the focus is on the head and the wing tip is closer to the camera.

If you do some post processing, something like Focal Point 2 can be used to blur the background and make the subject stand out. I could do a quick demo if you want. I've done it many times to make the subject stand out.

Sunfish 33 Loc: Merritt Island, Fl

snails_pace wrote:

Most times we have to take the shots that are there.

1/1250 is usually a fast enough shutter speed to give minimal wing tip blur. But some it may be a DOF effect since the focus is on the head and the wing tip is closer to the camera.

If you do some post processing, something like Focal Point 2 can be used to blur the background and make the subject stand out. I could do a quick demo if you want. I've done it many times to make the subject stand out.

Thanks very much! I would appreciate a demo.

snails_pace Loc: Utah

This isn't very polished .... with more time the edges of the hawk and signs can be better. I adjusted the light/shadow levels and put a mild blur in the background to soften the edges of the grass. Maybe I should have blurred the background more?

Almost forgot ... what kind of hawk is this? I don't think it's one we see here.

edit ... your settings are very close to what I usually use ... 1/1250, f8, but auto ISO cause I never know what background I'll be shooting against. Nice pics .... I'd like to see this kind of hawk.

Sunfish 33 Loc: Merritt Island, Fl

snails_pace wrote:

This isn't very polished .... with more time the e... (show quote)

Thanks. It looks a lot better. I appreciate your help.

It is a Red-shouldered Hawk. They are very common around here.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

The improvements, especially in brightness, make your cool shot WAY cool now :) And personally, I like wing blur!

Sunfish 33 Loc: Merritt Island, Fl

Linda From Maine wrote:

The improvements, especially in brightness, make your cool shot WAY cool now :) And personally, I like wing blur!

Hello again. The improvements Snails Pace made helped very much. I learn so much on this forum. Thanks for commenting.

tk Loc: Iowa

Great capture! I think the DOF is the issue. The focus, as the bird was taking off, is on the feet/sign area and that is probably why there is blur in the wings and some of the head. Hey, I still like it!

Sunfish 33 Loc: Merritt Island, Fl

tk wrote:

Great capture! I think the DOF is the issue. The focus, as the bird was taking off, is on the feet/sign area and that is probably why there is blur in the wings and some of the head. Hey, I still like it!

Thanks tk! You are right. Focus is certainly one of several problems with this set. I shot this August 28 and just held on to it for some reason. I only posted it in this BIF section for this sort of input and discussion. Always learning.

tk Loc: Iowa

Sunfish 33 wrote:

Thanks tk! You are right. Focus is certainly one of several problems with this set. I shot this August 28 and just held on to it for some reason. I only posted it in this BIF section for this sort of input and discussion. Always learning.

Learning is good! Other opinions are great!
It is a good shot!

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Hi Lamar. You're right, there is an issue here but it is movement blur. 1/1250 was not enough shutter speed to freeze the birds head. I am less concerned about the wingtips as that really helps show motion. Even at 1/2000 the wingtips might still have some movement showing but I think the head would be clearer. The 7D will carry an ISO of 800 and the noise will clean up nicely in Lightroom or Elements. That will allow the higher shutter speed and the ability to maintain the DOF you get with f/8. I find that, often, when birds are moving, shutter speed contributes a great deal to the sharpness of a photo. It is a neat capture, though. You reacted quickly to the sudden motion.

Sunfish 33 Loc: Merritt Island, Fl

birdpix wrote:

Hi Lamar. You're right, there is an issue here but... (show quote)

Thanks. I thought it was a nice capture but posted it here as an example of a photo that has problems. Posting a photo that is extremely good is fine but maybe a flawed photo is a better learning example. I see many photos on this forum that are great catches but not that great of a photo. I post replies like "Great Shot" for the capture of the moment...not due to the greatness of the photograph.

I enjoy capturing the action and keep working to improve my photography skills. I really appreciate your response and advice. I have learned much from you and others on this forum. One day maybe you will see me post a great photograph....maybe. :)

birdpix Loc: South East Pennsylvania

Sunfish 33 wrote:

Thanks. I thought it was a nice capture but poste... (show quote)

Lamar, as I see it there are two aspects to photography that we all deal with. One is the technical. Did we expose it and focus it correctly etc. The other is the aesthetic aspect. Does the photo tell a story, evoke an emotion or move me in some way. Many times the latter is more important than the pixel quality.

Keep shooting and keep working at it and I am sure that you will get that picture someday!